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Verbal reasoning: analogies

An analogy pairs two words, then asks you to find the word that completes a second pair in the same way. The skill is stating the relationship precisely before choosing.

What is tested

  • Synonym, antonym and part-to-whole relationships
  • Object and function, category and example
  • Choosing a word that keeps the same relationship and direction

Worked example

Finger is to hand as toe is to ___.

  1. A finger is part of a hand.
  2. So a toe is part of a foot.

Answer: foot

Exam-day checklist

  • Say the relationship in a full sentence.
  • Keep the direction (part to whole, not whole to part).
  • Test each option in your sentence.
  • Reject options that only loosely relate.

Common mistakes

  • Reversing the direction of the relationship.
  • Choosing a word associated with the topic but not in the relationship.
  • Rushing past a second possible relationship.

Try it yourself

1. Author is to novel as composer is to ___ (orchestra, symphony, piano, concert)?

Show answer

symphony

An author writes a novel; a composer writes a symphony. The relationship is creator to a work they create - an orchestra, piano or concert is not something the composer writes.

2. Bud is to flower as puppy is to ___.

Show answer

dog

A bud grows into a flower; a puppy grows into a dog.

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More topic guides

Ratio and proportionPercentages, fractions and decimalsAlgebra: equations and sequencesProbabilityVerbal reasoning: codesVerbal reasoning: logic and orderingNon-verbal reasoning: sequences and matricesEnglish: inference and comprehensionArithmeticNumber and place valueFractionsDecimalsProportionNumber sequencesGeometry: angles and shapesMeasurementTimeMoneyAveragesData handlingMulti-step problemsWorded problems3D shapes: volume and surface areaCoordinates and translationsSpeed, distance and timeVenn and Carroll diagramsEnglish: grammarEnglish: spellingEnglish: punctuationEnglish: vocabularyEnglish: editing and proofreadingEnglish: comprehensionEnglish: comparing two textsEnglish: paragraph ordering and cohesionEnglish: register and purposeEnglish: deductionEnglish: sentence completionEnglish: contextEnglish: word relationshipsEnglish: literary understandingEnglish: creative writingShuffled sentencesClauses: main, subordinate and relativeVerbal reasoning: classificationVerbal reasoning: letter and word sequencesVerbal reasoning: word relationshipsVerbal reasoning: hidden wordsVerbal reasoning: compound wordsVerbal reasoning: letter patternsMove a letterInsert a letterAnagrams and word laddersLetter and symbol sumsNon-verbal reasoning: transformationsNon-verbal reasoning: rotationsNon-verbal reasoning: reflectionsNon-verbal reasoning: symmetryNon-verbal reasoning: spatial reasoningNon-verbal reasoning: analogiesNon-verbal reasoning: paper foldingNon-verbal reasoning: cube netsNon-verbal reasoning: odd one outPlans and elevations (3D views)Shape assemblyTime management in the examEliminating incorrect optionsIdentifying distractorsChecking your workReading questions carefullySkipping and returning to questionsWorking under pressureHandling unfamiliar questions

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